Review: Snake River Audio Takshaka power cable

[treitz3]

If any of you subscribe to the Absolute Sound, the October 2025 issue (page 102) now has yet another review of the Takshaka cables. After reading this, as well as all of the others, it is becoming very clear that the observations are rather consistent with these cables.

I am very intrigued. Before asking what is in my mind, please allow the following precept. Cost and performance and not necessarily linked in audio! With that said, does anyone have a sense of how the Takshaka would compare to a Transparent Opus?

Hello, @pk_LA. Wording within your quote was highlighted in bold by me. While I did not have the Opus, I did have the Transparent References. I could offer you my observations between the two there if you are interested, but not with the Opus in my system for reasons aforementioned. I do know that one person ended up selling their Transparent Opus SC's, after trying out the Takshaka SC's in their system. FWIW, Jonny does have a generous return policy, so it might be worth your time to reach out to him. That way, you can find out first hand, and in your own system.

These cables have been out for almost a year now, and , there has only been one used Takshaka IC put up on the used market since they were introduced to the public. Also, the last time I asked Jonny if there had been any returns to him with any Takshaka cable, he stated that there hadn't been a return to date. That (to me) speaks volumes.

Oh, one more note. I just checked the Snake River Audio website, and the Labor Day sale is still going on for another 5 days at this point. The sale ends on Sept. 7th. It's good for a significant chunk off of the total cost, so for those who have only read but not pounced yet? This may be a great time to try them for yourself. I am not affiliated whatsoever with Snake River Audio, I am just a guy who has them throughout my system (With the Takshaka's being in the critical paths) and I am simply smitten with the sound, every time I go back to listen. That tone and timbre are just to die for, and I've never been happier with the end result as to what hits these ears (and doesn't).

Tom

 

[markramler]

If any of you subscribe to the Absolute Sound, the October 2025 issue (page 102) now has yet another review of the Takshaka cables. After reading this, as well as all of the others, it is becoming very clear that the observations are rather consistent with these cables.




Hello, @pk_LA. Wording within your quote was highlighted in bold by me. While I did not have the Opus, I did have the Transparent References. I could offer you my observations between the two there if you are interested, but not with the Opus in my system for reasons aforementioned. I do know that one person ended up selling their Transparent Opus SC's, after trying out the Takshaka SC's in their system. FWIW, Jonny does have a generous return policy, so it might be worth your time to reach out to him. That way, you can find out first hand, and in your own system.

These cables have been out for almost a year now, and , there has only been one used Takshaka IC put up on the used market since they were introduced to the public. Also, the last time I asked Jonny if there had been any returns to him with any Takshaka cable, he stated that there hadn't been a return to date. That (to me) speaks volumes.

Oh, one more note. I just checked the Snake River Audio website, and the Labor Day sale is still going on for another 5 days at this point. The sale ends on Sept. 7th. It's good for a significant chunk off of the total cost, so for those who have only read but not pounced yet? This may be a great time to try them for yourself. I am not affiliated whatsoever with Snake River Audio, I am just a guy who has them throughout my system (With the Takshaka's being in the critical paths) and I am simply smitten with the sound, every time I go back to listen. That tone and timbre are just to die for, and I've never been happier with the end result as to what hits these ears (and doesn't).

Tom

I have both Transparent G5 Opus (standard) power cords and Takshaka power cords. In my system I preferred the Takshaka on my preamp, phono stage and LPS. I preferred the Opus on my power conditioners, amps, dac and server. The Opus have deeper and fuller base and worked better on the power conditioners and amps. The Opus sounded a bit heavy for the preamps whereas the Takshaka was lifelike. For the digital components the Opus edged out the Takshaka. I did replace Transparent XL G5 interconnects and speaker cables for the Takshaka.

 

[Paul1960]

I have both Transparent G5 Opus (standard) power cords and Takshaka power cords. In my system I preferred the Takshaka on my preamp, phono stage and LPS. I preferred the Opus on my power conditioners, amps, dac and server. The Opus have deeper and fuller base and worked better on the power conditioners and amps. The Opus sounded a bit heavy for the preamps whereas the Takshaka was lifelike. For the digital components the Opus edged out the Takshaka. I did replace Transparent XL G5 interconnects and speaker cables for the Takshaka.

I have the Takshaka power cord and like it quite a bit but you don't seem much information on the interconnects and speaker cables. You are saying you liked the Takshaka better there too? Could you elaborate?

 

[markramler]

The Takshaka signal cables were more articulate, lively and coherent than the Transparent XL without any sense of harshness.

 

[Al M.]

Recently I acquired a Takshaka BNC > RCA digital cable for the connection Jay's Audio CDT3 transport > Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC.

It seems a winner!

Details forthcoming once I have done more comparisons.

 

[pk_LA]

If any of you subscribe to the Absolute Sound, the October 2025 issue (page 102) now has yet another review of the Takshaka cables. After reading this, as well as all of the others, it is becoming very clear that the observations are rather consistent with these cables.




Hello, @pk_LA. Wording within your quote was highlighted in bold by me. While I did not have the Opus, I did have the Transparent References. I could offer you my observations between the two there if you are interested, but not with the Opus in my system for reasons aforementioned. I do know that one person ended up selling their Transparent Opus SC's, after trying out the Takshaka SC's in their system. FWIW, Jonny does have a generous return policy, so it might be worth your time to reach out to him. That way, you can find out first hand, and in your own system.

These cables have been out for almost a year now, and , there has only been one used Takshaka IC put up on the used market since they were introduced to the public. Also, the last time I asked Jonny if there had been any returns to him with any Takshaka cable, he stated that there hadn't been a return to date. That (to me) speaks volumes.

Oh, one more note. I just checked the Snake River Audio website, and the Labor Day sale is still going on for another 5 days at this point. The sale ends on Sept. 7th. It's good for a significant chunk off of the total cost, so for those who have only read but not pounced yet? This may be a great time to try them for yourself. I am not affiliated whatsoever with Snake River Audio, I am just a guy who has them throughout my system (With the Takshaka's being in the critical paths) and I am simply smitten with the sound, every time I go back to listen. That tone and timbre are just to die for, and I've never been happier with the end result as to what hits these ears (and doesn't).

Tom

I ordered a couple cables today. Johnny is great - very nice and very helpful. I will probably replace my entire loom with Snake River once I settle on the components!

 

[J007B]

Just got an email that my Takshaka piggy tail is shipping. And I agree, Johnny is great and a lot of fun to talk to........

 

[Ron Resnick]

I will probably replace my entire loom with Snake River once I settle on the components!

There are loads of cable companies whose products are very inexpensive compared to top Transparent and the like. A friend of mine had top-of-the-line Transparent and switched it all to Revelation Audio. There also is Audience and Zen Wave and many, many others.

If somebody wants to go down that rabbit hole he/she could order a couple of types of cables from half a dozen different inexpensive brands, audition them leisurely and comparatively, and then make a decision.

Manufacturers and dealers want you to buy a whole "loom" primarily because they are trying to sell you more stuff. And each of them has a number of audiophiia nervosa reasons at the ready to justify a whole loom.

Jim White of Aesthetix -- who does not sell cables -- does not think the whole loom concept makes sense, unless his cable by two components approach results naturally in a whole loom.

While Jim has heard some expensive cables produce amazing results, Jim does not believe in the philosophy of necessarily using only one brand and model of cable throughout one’s entire system. Just because a cable is expensive doesn't mean it is necessarily the best for a particular location (between two particular components) in the system. Judicious cabling yields the best results, says Jim.

Jim said he believes that there will be an optimal cable for each of our ears to use to connect any two components, but that it is not possible to predict in advance, based on input impedance and output impedance, or based on cable resistance/capacitance/inductance characteristics, or based on cable metallugy, or based on winding characteristics or based on marketing copy which cable this will be. Jim suggests trying different cables between each pair of components, and to be largely design agnostic and brand agnostic, and to judge by ear.

 

[J007B]

I received my SRA Takshaka piggy tail a couple of days ago and I couldn't be happier. The Takshaka combined with the Swiss Digital Fuse Box is proving to be a fantastic combination in my system. Beautifully transparent without any glare or brightness. I know that they come cured for 200 hours, but I didn't expect it to sound this good right out of the box.........

 

[kimurastanley]

I have ordered Takshaka power cable and speaker cables. Will update once receive and have more impression

 

[thedudeabides]

Jim White of Aesthetix -- who does not sell cables -- does not think the whole loom concept makes sense

Many would disagree. Similar material construction, voicing, etc. And because he doesn't sell cables does not make his opinion any more credible than others.

Judicious cabling yields the best results, says Jim.

Sounds like you like Jim alot.

Jim suggests trying different cables between each pair of components, and to be largely design agnostic and brand agnostic, and to judge by ear.

How does one address synergistic issues and voicing consistency? That method invites many potential combinations and is, by nature, very hit and miss. Not to mention time consuming with a myriad number of options and sonic flavors.

 

[cd45123]

Mods please let me know if I should start a separate thread, but trying to understand how good their other cables are in the Takshaka line. Has anyone gone full loom and replaced their interconnects/speaker cables with these new Snake River offerings.

There’s been two threads now on the power cords which have been eye opening. I would be curious if anyone has tried the other cables against more expensive looms from KS, Shunyata, Audience, Albedo, Skogrand, etc. or disruptive products like Fidelium.

Thanks

 

[treitz3]

Hello @cd45123. You are welcome to carry on here or start a separate thread. At the end of the day, comparisons with other cable offerings would add to the value of the reviews themself. Obviously, there have been many who have chimed in on this thread that have compared them to something. If they are willing, maybe they can chime in to let you know what the Takshaka's replaced.

I personally have an extensive setup with a plethora of cables and 3 different formats, so while I may not have a "complete" Takshaka full loom, all of the critical paths are the Snake River Audio Takshaka's. While most of the other cables I have throughout are from Snake River Audio, there is an exception of 2 of the cables, which are actually umbilical cords from the power supplies to the gear itself (RAL and Audio Sensibilities). The IC's that the Takshaka's replaced were the Transparent Reference IC's. On the digital cable front, my old favorite that was so hard to beat, was the Audiolund Extreme....and the Takshaka was an ear opener.

It would be an interesting read to see what caliber of cables the Takshaka's have gone up against. At any price point.

Tom

 

[pk_LA]

WOWZA! Tonight I plugged in my new Takshaka (or whatever the hell it's called) and wow!

Okay. First off, I plugged it into the streamer and A|B'd against the Opus V6. No contest. It had better detail, equal warmth, slightly more density. Top end felt slightly more natural. Bass was about the same.

Wowza!

I do have one negative: I am not a fan of the gold glitter on the cable!

 

[Elliot G.]

Manufacturers and dealers want you to buy a whole "loom" primarily because they are trying to sell you more stuff. And each of them has a number of audiophiia nervosa reasons at the ready to justify a whole loom.

Jim White of Aesthetix -- who does not sell cables -- does not think the whole loom concept makes sense, unless his cable by two components approach results naturally in a whole loom.

could not Disagree more. That is a BS comment that its only to sell someone more. In order to get any kind of constant result and actually be able to determine what the brand is doing one can't take a buffet style approach. That is total audiophile BS. Let's add salt, ketchup oh wait maybe some sugar how about some honey , nope add some mustard. That approach is ridiculous and never ending. what it does it create some audio bouillabaisse. So audiophilia, not knowing what to do to get the system right so let's just change stuff. To all that believe that just stick stuff in and try to fix what's broken with more stuff good luck. This is a reason why there are so many unhappy and audio buyers, they don't know what to do so they just buy the "flavor" of the week.
Jim White has his opinion, great, that means Bubkas to me , so does every other person in audio. Ron you are quoting someone as if he is an authority.

BTW in my experience the best systems I have ever heard use a loom not a fruit salad

 

[Ron Resnick]

could not Disagree more. That is a BS comment that its only to sell someone more. In order to get any kind of constant result and actually be able to determine what the brand is doing one can't take a buffet style approach. That is total audiophile BS. Let's add salt, ketchup oh wait maybe some sugar how about some honey , nope add some mustard. That approach is ridiculous and never ending. what it does it create some audio bouillabaisse. So audiophilia, not knowing what to do to get the system right so let's just change stuff. To all that believe that just stick stuff in and try to fix what's broken with more stuff good luck. This is a reason why there are so many unhappy and audio buyers, they don't know what to do so they just buy the "flavor" of the week.
Jim White has his opinion, great, that means Bubkas to me , so does every other person in audio.

BTW in my experience the best systems I have ever heard use a loom not a fruit salad

1) Logically there is nothing BS about it. It's perfectly reasonable that subjective ears may prefer one or another cable between any two particular components.

There is no basis for believing a priori that that sonic challenge between every two components will be solved by the same brand and model of cable.

2) What is your:

A) logical basis,

B) statistical evidence and

C) scientific or engineering theory*

for believing that between every two components in his/her system each subjectively evaluating audiophile will prefer the same brand and model of cable?

*Do the electrons carrying our precious audio signals get confused in someway if they flow through different types of cables during the journey from source to loudspeakers?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Jim White has his opinion,

Ron you are quoting someone as if he is an authority.

I'm quoting Jim in this case only because he is a well-respected high-end audio engineer who obviously is a subjectivist audiophile and who does not make cables and who is agnostic as to cables and cable dogma.

 

[Elliot G.]

I'm quoting Jim in this case only because he is a well-respected high-end audio engineer who obviously is a subjectivist audiophile and who does not make cables and who is agnostic as to cables and cable dogma.

one mans opinion , nothing more or less! Highly respected? by you? Please this is IMO means almost nothing. If you want to ask every designer the same question and post the results perhaps that might mean something but one person, sorry lousy arguement

 

[Elliot G.]

1) Logically there is nothing BS about it. It's perfectly reasonable that subjective ears may prefer one or another cable between any two particular components.

There is no basis for believing a priori that that sonic challenge between every two components will be solved by the same brand and model of cable.

2) What is your:

A) logical basis,

B) statistical evidence and

C) scientific or engineering theory*

for believing that between every two components in his/her system each subjectively evaluating audiophile will prefer the same brand and model of cable?

*Do the electrons carrying our precious audio signals get confused in someway if they flow through different types of cables during the journey from source to loudspeakers?

all that is a series of one man surveys with no proof. That is audiophile dogma so that they feel like they made an educated choice. Why? because they like it. That's great they can do whatever they want however it holds no water for someone else. These are only ways to make
someone feel better about their choices.
You said this was a way to make people buy more by dealers and manufacturers.
However what you are really saying is YOU know better since YOU want to do it this way.
I say that you are not correct and many have far more information at hand than you.
You are saying that everyone in the industry that believes something else is wrong and that YOU are right. That's terrible logic
Audio does not function in a vacuum , we only listen to systems and environment that they exist in.

SUbjectively ? by what value? again a loaded up station wagon full of snacks and gas taking a trip with no destination

 

[Ron Resnick]

Highly respected? by you?

Jim White of Aesthetix was just elected to The Absolute Sound Hall of Fame.

Do you really want to argue that Jim White is not a respected high-end audio engineer?